Tharold Simon: What it’s like to join the Legion of Boom

It's never easy being the new guy, especially when you're walking into the best secondary in the National Football League, but Tharold Simon is already making his mark with the Legion of Boom. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

It’s never easy being the new guy, especially when you’re walking into the best secondary in the National Football League, but Tharold Simon is already making his mark with the Legion of Boom.

Simon was kicked out of the first preseason game for punching a Bronco receiver in the head. Against San Diego, he returned an interception 105 yards for a touchdown, but it was negated by a penalty that shouldn’t have been called.

Simon is already fitting in with Kam, Sherm, Earl and Max, but he’s still pinching himself that he’s here.

“It’s a special feeling,” he said. “It’s just like a little kid growing up watching the Legion of Boom, jumping for joy, and saying ‘I want to be like those guys when I grow up.'”

Simon missed all of last season, his rookie year, with a foot injury. So he tried to absorb all he could from the sidelines, and with Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond gone, now is his time to shine.

“The good Lord worked good,” Simon said. “Perfect position. People gone. People coming in. I fell into the perfect opportunity.”

And now that he’s healthy, Simon is making the most of that opportunity. “Come out and get better every day,” he said. “That’s my mind set.”

But does he have the personality to fit the Legion of Boom? Simon said he’s pretty quiet, until game time.

“I like to have a little fun with the fellas, but beside that I’m just a really laid back kind of guy,” he said. “Very quiet. Very shy.”

Simon is currently listed second on the depth chart behind Byron Maxwell at the right cornerback position. He will also see a bunch of time in the nickel package.